The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-04-23
WRITTEN FOR "THE UNION"
"HAYFIELDS."
The Home of the Merrymans-A Grand
Old Estate-Its Herefords and Other
Fine Stock, &c., sc.

lilo ObOCk, CCC, C1Cs
Occupying one of the most attractive parts of
the Sth district of Baltimore county, celebrated for
its cultivated farms and fine stock, is the famed
estate of the late Hon. John Merryman, "Hay-
fields" The gently rolling lands, encompassing
$50 acres, are located about two miles from the
thriving village of Cockeysville and equi-distant
from the romantically situated Ashland, with its
steel works. neat cottages, unique vine-clad church
and pretty school house and picturesque Western
run. CLAY fields" is famous old farm, having been
purchased by Colonel Bosley, who figured in the
war of 1912, four years before. Those who knew
the Colonel noted great resemblance in physique
and in character to General Jackson. The noble
"Hayfelds" home of solid masonry, was built by
Col. 'Bosey, who to his builder traced the plans
with his cane upon the sand. All the walls are
of the same thickness in the mansion, which seems
impregnable to age Entrance to the hall intro
duces the visitor to art gallery of oil paintings
pictures of the Hereford stock for which Hay
fields is famous, and therefrom to Indiana Illinois,
Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Texas, Colorado and
Wyoming have gone the heads of herds. The
ample parlors and drawing-rooms, elegantly fur
nished, are also enhanced by family portraits OF
royal size, which illustrate the Merryman family
for generations. The rich and wellflled cabinets,
the articles of virtu and the generous sideboards
with silver trophies show the ideal home of South
ern refinement. Many of the cups are exquisite
in finish and partake of historical interest. A
silver tankard, dated 1924, was presented by the
hand of General Lafayette, representing the Mary
land Agricultural Society, "for the best farm"
handsome silver cup, dated 1888, was awarded to
E. Cuttings Merryman, his gallant mare "Kiss- Me-
Quick" having VIGOROUSLY carried ITO pounds to
the front in the steepe-chases of that year.
Many other trophies call forth admiration, but
the living thoroughbred stock being of greater in
terest, accompanied Mr.. e. Cuttings Merryman
to his fields and stables. From the mansion, sur
rounded with lawns and stately trees, conserva-
tory and gardens in terraces walled round, several
strong buildings noticeable, including two
story cottage erected for the family ply stefan IN
days of yore. 1t was here that DR.. Louis Griffith,
the reunited cause of lime being introduced an
auxiliary to land frution, held forth. The former
slave quarters are also solid stone buildings and
therefrom barns, stables, paddocks, coach and i'm
plement houses extend. The beautiful rolling
fields, where numerous husbandmen are busy plow-
ing and sowing, have each and all springs OF crys-
tal-like water, while one limestone spring,
which supplies the residence has never known
diminishment by drought The 500 and odd acres
of arabic land are heightened in beauty by virgin
white oak forest and ornamental garniture aids
the scene. The ample stables and barns, with
capacity for 200 head in ALL were built for solidity
and although not possessing the kitchenlike APP
pearance of the modern barns, are very convent
ent and arranged so that security against storm
and plenty of ventilation can be had at will. In
the horse stables are several trotters, steeple-
chasers and roadsters, which have caused the
plaudits of the crowd and will again. "Mambrino
Lawrence" is a three year old stallion from the
dam of "Biy Badeye," record 1926 He is a
powerful youngster and will develop into grand
horse He shows the thoroughbred in every Inca
ment and is numbered 1905 in Wallace's Register.
"Lolypop" is very handsome light chestnut
mare, by "Orange Blossom" She is six years old,
,l,, ofx,la nd hos do
in private. She has q clean head, fine limbs and
is perfect beauty from ear to tail. kiss Me-
Quick" the cup winner, can carry 100 pounds
gracefully and looks as if six-barred gate would
be no obstruction. "Doc Simmons" is q strong
looking chestnut, with white hind socks. He
stands 16 hands high, is years old and has put
several purses in the pocket Of his owner. He is
a regular glutton on a jump or plowed field, to
which he adds good temper and good looks. CLAY
fields" farm has disposed of many firstclass road
sters noted for good speed, style and docity, and
good breeding is always depended on.
After leaving the stables I saw as fine flock of
0xforddown sheep and lambs as have seen for
years. Taking the backward season into account
the lambs have done remarkably well, and the
ewes and rams, with their cute black faces and
thick white woody coats, are bleating pictures.
But the pride of the farm is the herd of thorough
bred Hereford cattle. The Hereford is one of the
most highly priced breed of cattle Known and for
many generations has held front rank as frstclass
beef stock. The animals are particularly hand
some and attain grand size, comparing in that re-
spect with the Durham or Short Horn, and the
white faces and bonnie brown coats Of the Here
ford show grandly in a herd, and they are becom-
ing more and more priced wherever introduced.
The high estimation in which they are held may
be ina gined when stated that the "Lord Wilson"
bull brought $4,000 in England and "Grove III'
was sold in Illinois by Mr.. Culvertson to Mr..
Earl, of Indiana, for $500. These are fancy
prices, but speak volumes and all judges of stock
recognize their unsurpassed qualities. The CLAY
fields" herd numbers II head, of which 81 are
thoroughbreds, and grander lot of calves never
romped on farm field than those now exhibited.
The young sire, the present head of the herd. is
"Prince De Cote" No. $685., aged four years. He
is noble animal, weighing !, 800 pounds, with a
back like table top and quarters descending in
a straight line. He is beautifully marked and his
"get" show every promise Two young bulls,
"Tambourine," two years old in May, and "Old
Gentleman" two years old in September, by
"Prince De Cote" and from two of the best COWS
in the herd, are worth days journey to see. The
most noted cows of the herd, which occupy the
position as amid the finest Herefords in the world,
are "Princess Charlotte" No. IVA, nine years
old; "Dorcas H." No. 1857, eight years old, and
"Bonnets of Blue" No. 1866, seven years old.
Besides the Hereford cattle, the trotters, seeple-
chasers and roadsters and the Oxforddowns,
"Hayields" raises Poland China pokers and the
henneries have the very purest Matthew Gains
thoroughbred game fowls, originally imported
$3.50 worth of these chickens have been sold this
spring.
In the "Hayfelds" home are many curiosities
showing the rare and the antique, amid the most
notable being clock, perfect in movement, man
ufactured over $50 years ago. Some modern
clock repairer has inserted beside the weights
"I'm old and worn as my face appears,
For I've walked on time over hundred years,
Many have fallen since begun;
I've buried the world with its hopes and fears
In my long, long march over a hundred years."
CARswELL.
Fork, 18th District.-We were surprised at
reading in the Baltimore Sun of 18th inst. the
suicide of Miss Marie Blanchard, in Vineland, New
Jersey. Her death occurred on the 18th. Miss
Blanchard was stepdaughter of John F. Coyle,
of the New York Star, and niece of Mrs. Cone,
formerly of Long Green Valley. She spent the
summer with us several years ago-then a child
The account states that she had just returned from
France, where she had been educated, had some
differences with her mother, determined to sup
port herself as governess, was disappointed in
securing position, became depressed and sought
relief in suicide. She was spoiled child, high
tempered and ungovernable, gave her friends
trouble and has increased their sorrow by this
last ACT. HOW SAD 10 tnlnk Oh young girl III the
bloom of youth taking her own life for such
trivial reason. Why will parents indulge their
children when so often it recoils upon their own
heads, instances of which we see almost daily p
Miss Blanchard's mother is highly educated and
refined lady and at one time resided in Washing
ton, where she sang and played in the Catholic
Churches. The late President Lincoln was charm
ed with her singing and on one occasion presented
her with bouquet.
The fourteenth annual convention of the Mary
land State Temperance Alliance will meet in Ora
toria Hail. Baltimore, Tuesday and Wednesday
next. Delegates will be there from the churches,
Sunday schools, temperance societies and all rei-
gious and reform associations. All the railroads,
excepting the Maryland Central, will sell tickets
at excursion rates. We expect to attend that con-
vention as delegate and the epizootic is in all
the stables of Baltimore do not think it safe to
take our horses there, and would have no objection
to reduced rates on the cars.
Farmers in thisvicinity arepreparing the ground
for the early corn.
The barn of the late Samuel S. Patterson, in
Long Green Valley, came near being destroyed by
fire on the 18th inst. spark from an engine on
the M. G. R. R. fell in the grass in the meadow
below the residence. 1t spread so rapidly it took
the united efforts of the neighbors to prevent the
destruction of the outbuildings. INcoG.